Yes, this is correct. The company buys everyone a ticket from their home to their base and back at the start and end of the trips. They also put you up in the hotels so you don't have to stay in a crashpad. The downside is that the value of the tickets and hotel is considered imputed income and you will be taxed on it. It is completely hit or miss whether or not you get taxed, but when you do it is a hit to your take home pay since you are being taxed on income that you aren't seeing. You do not have to take the company ticket and are free to jumpseat. However, since we have no commuter clause that is not recommended. If you're based in ANC, you can usually hop on a company plane to CVG or ORD for instance and then have the company buy you a ticket home from there at the end of your pattern. That would save you a little on the taxes.